YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle defined by missed opportunities and a singular, timely shot, Jenna Guyer’s late three-pointer lifted Green Bay to a 54-51 victory over Youngstown State in a Horizon League women’s basketball game Saturday at Beeghly Center.

The Phoenix, who led for nearly the entire contest but could never pull away, saw their advantage vanish in the final minutes before Guyer’s clutch basket with 16 seconds remaining secured the road win. The victory improved Green Bay to 20-5 overall and completed a regular-season sweep of the Penguins, who fell to 17-8.

The game’s defining sequence began with the score tied at 51 and under 30 seconds to play. After a Youngstown State turnover, Green Bay worked the ball around the perimeter. Kamy Peppler found Guyer open on the right wing, and the 6-foot-2 forward from Circle Pines, Minnesota, drained the three-pointer to put the Phoenix ahead for good.

Youngstown State had two final chances to tie. Erica King missed a three-point attempt with 12 seconds left, and after Guyer missed two free throws, the Penguins secured the rebound and called timeout with 4.4 seconds remaining. King’s desperation three at the buzzer was off the mark, sealing the Phoenix win.

The contest was a grind from the outset, with both teams struggling offensively. Green Bay finished shooting 40% from the field and 38.5% from three-point range, while Youngstown State managed just 36.7% shooting and a frigid 5 of 29 from beyond the arc. The Penguins’ inability to capitalize from distance, coupled with only two free throw attempts the entire game, proved costly.

Green Bay established an early lead, ending the first quarter up 21-15 behind efficient play from Guyer and Meghan Schultz. The Phoenix maintained a slim margin throughout the first half, taking a 32-31 lead into the break despite a 16-point second quarter from the Penguins.

The third quarter was where Green Bay’s defense truly shined, holding Youngstown State to just eight points. The Phoenix extended their lead to 42-39 heading into the final period, but could not deliver a knockout blow, setting the stage for the tense finish.

Youngstown State’s Sarah Baker, a 6-foot-2 sophomore from Florence, Kentucky, led all scorers with 18 points and added seven rebounds. Her jumper off a turnover with 3:21 to play gave the Penguins their first lead since the opening minutes at 51-49. But it would be their last points of the game.

Guyer led Green Bay with 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists, including the decisive shot. Schultz, a 6-foot-4 junior from Waukesha, Wisconsin, provided 14 points and four rebounds. Peppler contributed seven points, five assists and a critical steal in the final minute.

Youngstown State’s interior defense was formidable, blocking seven shots, led by Sophia Gregory’s five blocks to go with nine points and five rebounds. Gregory, from Alliance, Ohio, also had three assists. Casey Santoro filled the stat sheet for the Penguins with nine points, seven rebounds and five assists in a full 40 minutes.

The game was a battle of attrition, with both teams committing 14 and 12 turnovers, respectively, and neither able to establish a significant advantage in points off turnovers or second-chance points. Green Bay’s slight edge in efficiency, posting an offensive rating of 80.4 to Youngstown State’s 77.3 on nearly identical possessions, made the difference.

A crowd of 1,937 watched as Green Bay won its fifth consecutive game and maintained its position atop the Horizon League standings. The Phoenix have now won nine of their last ten contests. Youngstown State saw a two-game winning streak snapped.

Green Bay next travels to face Cleveland State on Wednesday. Youngstown State will look to rebound at home against Robert Morris, also on Wednesday.